Feeler mechanism for looms



M. L. STONE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19,4920.

Patented' May- 24,1921.

'IIII Inv/*azz M; Cm

Fig

Aznzy PATENT *oFFlcE.

UNITED Y STATES' MELVIN L. STONE, 0F LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORA` TION, 0F IHOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MAINE. i

FEELER'MECHANISM FOR LooMs.

Patented May 24., `1921.

a Applcationrfiled March 19, 1920. Serial No. 367,038.

To all /w/Lom t may concern,

Be it known 'that I, lVInLvrN L. STONE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of l\./[assachusetts, have invented' an Improvement in Fe'eler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms, through the agency of which filling is replenished from time to time.

The new feeler mechanism includes 'two feelers, one of which is a penetrating and the other an impinging feeler, and the two feelers are connected so that the impinging member may bemoved rearwardly hy the frontward movement ofthe penetrating member when filling is substantially eX-r hausted on a detecting beat. The rearward movementiof the impinging fecler by the penetrating feeler, under the conditions stated, is utilized in the present invention t0 effect replenishment of filling through a train of mechanism of any usual or well known character;

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a feeler mechanism embodying the present invention, some of the parts being broken away; Q Y

Fic. 2 is a alan view showin@ the 'action e l e of the feeler mechanism when supply of filling is present in the a detecting beat; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but illustrati-ng the operation of the feeler mechanism when the filling is substantially exhausted. l

The impinging feeler is provided with a blunt end portion to contact with a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat, and the penetrating member is provided a working shuttle on with a point or tooth which enters the iilling mass on a detecting beat when a working supply of iilling 1s present 'in the shuttle and meets the surface of the bobbin or filling/carrier when the filling is substantially exhausted. The connection between the feelers, whereby frontward movement of the penetrating feeler effects rearward movement ofthe impinging feeler when y the feeler carrier is formed as a ing frontwardly-extending portions 2 which filling is substantially exhausted on a detectlng beat may be variously contrived, but

,is preferably formed of a simple leverv for. transmitting frontward mechanism movement of the penetrating feeler to the lmpinging feeler and cause its rearward movement. The two feelers are mounted on a feeler carrier which is movable toward and from the front of the loom under the frontward pressure or push against the feelers on each detectingbeat. -The carrier may be of suitable construction, two of such general types of carriers being now well Y known in theart-one a swinging carrier and the other a sliding or reciprocating carrier connected to the loom frame.

In the present instance of the invention,

slide 1 havare guided in a feeler stand 3 for reciprocating movement toward and from the front of the loom. A spring 4 normally acts upon thev feeler carrier to maintain it in its rearward feeling position, but yields frontwardly, carrier, .to permit frontward movement of the feeler carrier under the frontward pressure as the lay beats up. Y

-The feeler stand 3 is provided with the guide 5 into which extends the end 6 of a transmitter which acts as usual in this class of looms, to tion a train of mechanism for effecting replenishment of lling when the transmitter 1s moved frontwardly on a detecting beat.y

Pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier at is the actuator 8, the front end portion 9 is normally heldV in raised or inoperative position by a yielding pin l0,`

of which at The rear end portion of the feeler carrier 1 has mounted on it the two feelers,`one the impinging and the other the penetrating feelcr. In the as usual in this type of `feeler j set, in Voperative condi- The under surface of` present instance, the rean end portion of the feeler carrier is cutaway at 15 to provide the legs or supports 16and 17 for the two feelers, as will more fully appear.

The penetrating feeler 18 is mounted on the leg or support 16 and is guided for movement relative to the support. In the present instance of the invention, the support 16 has rising therefrom the front and rear guides or bearings 19 and 20, 1n which the penetrating feeler 18 is mounted for reciprocating vmovement relative to the feeler carrier and toward and from the front of the loom. The penetrating feeler 18 has a shouldered portion 21, between which and the front bearing 2O is interposed the spring 22, the construction being such that the spring normally acts to hold the penetrating feeler in its rearward feeling position, substantially as indicated in Fig. 1, with the shoulder or stop 21 bearing against the front surface of the rear bearing 19.

The rear end portion of the penetrating feeler is provided with a cap or block 23 which may be secured thereto in appropriate manner, or formed integral therewith, and projecting from the rear face of the block 23 is the point or penetrating portion 24 of the feeler. Upon frontward pressure against the penetrating feeler 18, either by `engagement of the filling with the rear face of the cap or block or by impingement of the surface of the filling carrier or bobbin against the penetrating point 24, the penetrating feeler 18 will be moved'frontwardly until the front face of the cap or block 23 meets the rear face 25 of the leg or support 16, whereupon the feeler carrier itself will be moved frontwardly under the frontward The leg or support 17 is provided with a suitable guideway for the impinging feeler which permits the impinging feeler to be moved frontwardly relative to the feeler carrier under the frontward push or pressure exerted upon it. 1n the present instance, the guide is formed as a casing 26 in which the impinging feeler 27 is mounted for reciprocating movement. The impinging feeler 27 has a soclzeted portion 28 in which is seated the spring 29, the rear end 30 of which bears upon a shoulder 31 formed on the impinging feeler and the front end portion of which bears against a block 32 guided for movement in the socketed portion 28 of the impinging feeler. The block 32 is pivotally connected at 33 to one arm of the lever 34 pivotally mounted at 35 upon the feeler carrier. The other end of the lever 34 is pivotally connected at 36 to the penetrating feeler, the construction being such that relative frontward movement of the `penetrating feeler transmits through the lever 34 a rearward movement of the impinging feeler, such rearward movement of the impinging feeler vbeing of a yielding character due to the spring 29.

The rear end of theimpinging feeler is constituted by a shoe 37 which has a flat engaging ,rear surface and is adjustably connected by a bolt 38 with the main body of the impinging feeler. A slot 39 `permits adjustment of the end of the impinging feeler to suit conditions of use.

The impinging feeler 27 Y has a frontwardly-extendingarm 40, the front end portion 41 of which is provided With a cam surface 42 which is complemental or reverse to the cam surface 14 on the block 12 of the actuator, the construction being such that should the impinging feeler be moved rearwardly on the feeler carrier, the coacting cam surfaces 14 and 42 will cause the actuator 8 to be turned into operative relation with the transmitter 6 and effect movement thereof as the feeler carrier moves frontwardly on a detecting beat. The shuttle, which is of usual construction and consequently not shown, carries the usual filling carrier or bobbin 43 on which is wound the filling 44. When a vworking supply of filling is present on a detecting beat, the filling mass first engages the penetrating feeler and the point or penetrating portion 24 thereof sinks into the filling mass until the filling engages the rear face of the cap or block 23 of the penetrating feeler, whereupon the impinging feeler is moved frontwardly until the front face of the cap or block 23 meets the shoulder 25 of the sup port 16. The frontward movement of the penetrating feeler thus transmitted to it by frontward pressure of the filling mass, turns the lever 34 upon its pivotal support 35 and tends to move the impinging feeler rearwardly. Owing, however, to the pres' ence of a working supply of filling, the engagingface of the impinging feeler contacts with the filling mass and the movement of the lever 34 is absorbed in compression of the spring 29, both the impinging and penetrating feelers thereupon moving front wardly in substantially unaltered relation with the feeler carrier.V Vhen, however, the filling has become substantially exhausted on adetecting beat, as indicated in Fi-g. 3, the penetrating point 24 of the penetrating feeler engages the dense surface of the bobbin, and the block 23 of the penetrating member is held spaced from the bobbin or substantially exhausted filling thereon, a distance equal to the extension of the point 24 beyond the rear face of the cap or block 23; and the penetrating feeler is moved frontwardly untilthe front face of the cap or block 23 engages the rear face -25 of the support 16. rllhe frontward movement of the penetrating feeler under the conditions stated, is transmitted through the lever 34 to the impingingk feeler, which, beingunrestrained by the presence of filling on the bobbin, movesrearwardly until the surface 37 of the impinging feeler comes into alinement withthe end or point of the penetrating portion 24 ofthe penetrating member. The amount of rearward movement of the impinging feeler due to the frontward movement of the penetrating feeler, is dependent upon the extent of rearward projection of the penetrating point 24 beyond the rear face of the cap or block 23. This amount of rearward movement of the impinging feeler serves toA move the arm 40 thereof in a rearward direction and cause' the cam 42 to turn the actuator into its operative position relative to the transmitter 6 so that on further frontward movement of the feeler carrier due to the frontward pressure, lling replenishment will be effected.

What is claimed is i l. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination ofa feeler carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and having rearwardly extending legs or supports, a penetrating feeler member mounted'on one of the legs or supports and provided with a cap orl contact portionv having a rearwardly extending penetrating point, an impinging feeler mounted onV another of the legs or supports and having an impinging rear end, a lever pivotally mounted on the feeler `carrier and connected to the two feelers to cause rearward movement of the impinging feeler by frontward movement of the penetrating feeler when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, an actuator on the feeler carrier, and a cam between the actuator and impinging feeler to operatively position the actuator for effecting replenishment of filling when the impinging feeler is moved rearwardly by frontward movement of the penetrating feeler on' a detecting beat.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and having rearwardly extending legs or supports, a penetrating feeler member mounted on one of the legs or supports and provided with a cap or contact portion having a rearwardly extending penetra-ting point, an impinging feeler mounted on another of the legs or supports and having an impinging rearvend, a lever pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier between the two feelers and connected to thetwo feelersto cause rearward movement of the impinging feeler by frontward movement ofthe penetrating feeler when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, an actuator on the feeler carrier, and a cam between the actuator and impinging feeler to operatively position the actuator for effecting replenishment of filling when the impinging feeler is moved rearwardly by frontward movement of the penetrating feeler on a detecting beat. V3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, `the combination of a feeler carrier, a filling penetrating feeler and a filling impinging feeler mounted for movement upon the feeler carrier and both Vof which enter the shuttle on a detecting beat, a spring acting normally to hold the penetrating feeler rearwardly and the impinging feeler frontwardly on the feeler carrier, and connections between the two feelers for causing frontward movement of the penetrating feeler to effecterearward movement of the filling impinging feeler.

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of two feelerssupported to enter the shuttle on each detecting beat, one having a rearwardly extending point to sink into the filling mass on a detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted and tok then be engaged by the filling carrier, vand the other having a blunt impinging end which engages the filling on a detecting beat, rand connections between the two feelers for effecting rearward movement of the impinging feeler intol engagement with the` filling when the penetrating point of the other feeler penetrates the filling on a detecting beat, and an. additional movement of the impinging feeler rearwardly when the penetrating point is struck by the more dense substance of the filling carrier on a detecting beat. I

5. In affeeler mechanism for looms, the combination ofl an impinging feeler and a filling penetrating feeler, separate means for yieldingly urging each of the feelers rearwardly, connections between Vthe feelers for placing the impinging feeler under the control of the penetrating feeler, said impinging feeler constructed and arranged to be held upon a detecting beat from moving rearwardly a relatively abnormal` amount when the penetrating feeler penetrates the filling and to be moved rearwardly a relatively abnormal amount upon failure of the penetrating feeler to penetrate a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat, and means for effecting replenishment of filling when the impinging feeler is moved rearwardly relative to the penetrating feeler an abnormal amount.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, an impinging feeler and a filling penetrating feeler both mounted on the feeler carrier in position to enter the shuttle'on a detecting beat, means normally acting to hold the 'feeler carrier in rearward position,v an actuator mounted on the feeler carrier and movable relative to the carrier from an inoperative to a filling replenishing position, connections between the two `feelers for effecting rearward movement of the impinging feeler relative to the feeler carrier by frontward movement of the penetrating feeler on a detecting beat, and means Vfor operatively'positioning the actuator byrearward movement:

of the impinging feeler to effect replenishment of filling. n

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, an impinging feeler and a filling penetrating feeler movably mounted on the Afeeler carrier, means for yieldingly urging each of said feelers rearwardly, a lever pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier and operable to transmit frontward movement of one ofA said feelers into rearward movement of the other feeler, said penetrating feeler operable upon a detecting beat when filling is substantially exhausted to impartan abnormal rearward movement to the impinging feeler, and means operable by said abnormal movement of the impinging feeler to eect replenishment of filling.

8. In a feeler mechanism forlooms, the combination of a feeler carrier, an impinging feeler and a fillin-g penetrating feeler movably mounted on the feeler carrier, means for yieldingly urging each of said feelers rearwardly, means operable to transmit rearward movement of one of said feelers into frontward movement of the other feeler, said penetrating feeler operable upon a detecting beat when filling isv substantially exhausted to space the feeler carrier from the substantially exhausted filling a relatively abnormal` distance to permit an abnormal rearward movement of the impinging feeler, and means operable by said abnormal movement of the `impinging feeler to effect replenishment of filling.

9. A feeler mechanism comprising, in combination, a filling impinging feeler, a lling penetrating feeler' adapted to penetratethe filling on a detecting vbeat when a `working supply of filling is present and to engage the filling carrier without penetrating the carrier when the filling is substantially exhausted, a train of mechanism between the two feelers which effects rearward movement of one by frontward movement of the otherl on a detecting beat, and means under the control of one of the feelers and movable thereby from an inoperative to an operative position, said means being positioned to effect replenishment of filling when its Acontrolling feeler is moved. rearwardly on, a detecting beat a relatively abnormal amount.

10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a penetrating and an impinging feeler mounted for frontward and rearward movements on the carrier and both positioned to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat, an actuator movably mounted uponthe carrier, connections between the penetrating and impinging feelers` for causing frontward movement of the penetrating f feeler to Veffectl rearward movement of the impinging feeler, and anv arm moved relative to the actuator by rear-y ward movement ofthe impinging feeler to position the actuator for replenishing filling.

k11. In afeeler Vmechanism for looms, the combination of a filling penetrating feeler, an impingin-g feeler, connections between the two feelers causing frontward movement of the one to effect rearward movement of the other oneach detecting beat, a spring nor-A mally projecting the penetrating feeler and retracting the impinging feeler, and means for effecting replenishment of filling when theimpingln-g feeler is moved rearwardly an increased amount by the frontward movenientA of the penetrating feeler due tosub- 1sotantial exhaustion of filling on a detecting eat. v

l2. A feeler mechanism, comprisinga filling penetrating feeler and an impin-ging fee-ler, connections between the two feelers including springmeans which normally acts through thev connections to proj ect the penetrating feeler rearwardly and retract the impinging feeler frontwardly and yields to permit frontward movement of the penetrating feeler to effect rearward movement of the,

impinging feeler a predeterminedv amount on Y a detecting beat when a working `supply of filling is present inthe shuttle and an increased amount when the filling is substantially vexhausted onk a `detecting beat.

13. In a feeler mechanism for looms,.the

combination of an impinging and-a filling penetrating feeler both mountedto enter the shuttle on a detecting beat, connections between the two feelers for transmitting frontward movement of one into rearward move-v ment of the other including a spring in the train of connections, said spring operable upon. a detecting beat when filling is substantially exhaustedto impart an abnormal rearward movement to the impinging feeler, and means operable by said abnormal movement of the impinging feeler to effect replenishment of filling.

. 14. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, an impinging feeler and a filling penetrating feeler movably supported by the feeler carrier, means for yieldingly urging each of the feelers yrearwardly upon the carrier, said penetrating feeleroperable upon a detecting beat when filling is substantially vexhausted to space the feeler carrier from the substantially exhausted fillingan abnormal distance to permit an abnormal rearward movement of the impingingfeeler, and means operable by the abnormal rearward movement of the 125 impinging feeler to effect replenishmentof filling.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification.

MELVIN L. STONE.

i l l 

